Job Openings Junior Buyer

About the job Junior Buyer

Job Description

We are seeking a commercially minded Junior Buyer to join the buying team of a fast-growing consumer business operating across the UK and US.

This is a hands-on commercial role with significant exposure to supplier sourcing, negotiation, product selection, margin, inventory, and purchasing decisions across multiple markets.

Reporting to the Head of Buying, you will help identify and source compelling products, develop supplier relationships, negotiate strong commercial terms, and ensure purchasing decisions balance customer demand with margin and healthy inventory levels.

You do not need previous wine knowledge or industry experience to succeed in this role. We are more interested in finding someone with strong commercial instincts, buying or supplier-side experience, confidence working with external partners, and the initiative to take ownership of their responsibilities.

The role offers substantial training and development, including further industry education.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Sourcing & Relationship Management

  • Identify and develop relationships with new producers and suppliers

  • Proactively research and source products with strong customer and commercial potential

  • Build productive long-term relationships with existing and prospective suppliers

  • Stay active in the market and identify new sourcing opportunities

  • Support the expansion of exclusive and own-label product ranges

  • Source flagship brands, sought-after products, and highly rated options that align with customer demand


Commercial Negotiation

  • Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and exclusivity with suppliers

  • Identify opportunities to improve purchasing economics and contribution margin

  • Evaluate supplier proposals with consideration for price, margin, demand, and inventory

  • Support negotiations around packaging, storage, and other costs affecting overall product economics

  • Take a commercially disciplined approach to supplier and purchasing decisions


Buying & Product Analysis

  • Research and analyze potential products before purchasing decisions are made

  • Assess commercial attractiveness, customer demand, pricing, and potential margin

  • Use data and commercial judgment to support buying recommendations

  • Maintain clear records of purchasing decisions and supplier information

  • Work closely with the wider buying team to develop an attractive and commercially effective product range


Margin & Commercial Performance

  • Take ownership of the commercial outcomes associated with products you bring into the business

  • Monitor contribution margin and identify opportunities to improve profitability

  • Support the growth of higher-margin own-label and exclusive products

  • Help secure improved supplier terms and identify unnecessary costs

  • Monitor spend and ensure purchasing decisions remain commercially disciplined

  • Understand how buying and pricing decisions affect overall product profitability


Inventory & Stock Health

  • Support purchasing decisions that maintain healthy inventory levels

  • Monitor product sell-through and stock performance

  • Balance availability with the need to maintain lean stock valuation

  • Help determine appropriate purchasing volumes based on demand and commercial considerations

  • Identify potential overstock, understock, or slow-moving inventory concerns

  • Coordinate with the wider team to ensure purchasing decisions support both customer demand and healthy inventory


Range Development & Customer Demand

  • Help build a product range that encourages increased customer spend

  • Identify desirable brands, products, formats, and other opportunities that strengthen the overall assortment

  • Support the development of exclusive and own-label ranges

  • Consider customer preferences and commercial performance when evaluating new products

  • Help ensure the product range supports wider personalisation and remarketing initiatives


Qualifications

Required

  • Professional experience in buying, purchasing, procurement, merchandising, supplier management, distribution, or a closely related commercial role

  • Ideally previous experience at the Assistant Buyer, Junior Buyer, Buyer, or equivalent level, or relevant supplier/distributor-side experience

  • Hands-on experience sourcing products and/or managing suppliers

  • Experience building and maintaining supplier or commercial relationships

  • Experience negotiating pricing, terms, or other commercial agreements

  • Strong commercial and numerical aptitude

  • Ability to evaluate purchasing opportunities based on factors such as cost, margin, demand, and inventory

  • Understanding of inventory, stock levels, and sell-through within a product-based business

  • Strong research and analytical skills

  • Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills

  • Confidence communicating and negotiating with external partners

  • Strong relationship-building skills

  • Sound commercial judgment and common sense

  • Proactive working style with the initiative to identify and pursue opportunities

  • Ability to take ownership of responsibilities and commercial outcomes

  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

  • Strong written and verbal English communication skills

  • Bachelor's degree


Preferred

  • Previous experience within grocery, ecommerce, beverage, retail, or another consumer-product category

  • Previous experience working with own-label or private-label products

  • Experience sourcing products across multiple markets

  • Experience supporting assortment or range development

  • Existing knowledge of or genuine interest in wine

  • Experience working in a fast-growing consumer or ecommerce business


What We Offer

  • Extensive training and development

  • Opportunity to directly influence products offered to customers

  • Funded WSET training

  • Unlimited personal development budget

  • Opportunity to develop deeper expertise within the wine industry


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